HINTS & TIPS

Are you moving house - Here is a useful check list

Fact sheets from Neighbourhood Support New Zealand

Burglar Profile - courtesy from Victim Support "Reducing the risk of burglary"

view Fire Safety Tips from NZ Fire Service

Learn more about scams

Either scroll down the page or click on topic below

- ALARM SYSTEM
- ANSWERING YOUR DOOR
- CELL PHONES
- DOORS
- EXTERNAL
- FAMILY/GENERAL
- HOLIDAYS/GENERAL
- OTHER
- RANCHSLIDERS
- SERVICE CALLERS
- TELEPHONE CALLS
- VALUABLES
- WINDOWS


- MANUKAU CITY COUNCIL BYLAWS - DOG CONTROL & NOISE CONTROL

- Interesting Statistics and Information available from Manukau City Council website

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ANSWERING YOUR DOOR - STRANGER DANGER

When a stranger - male or female - comes to your front door, you need to be able to keep yourself safe. If you are alone you can create the impression that someone else is present by shouting out that you will answer the door. Here are some tips from the New Zealand police, using the DOORSTEP method.

 

D	on't open your door without using the DOORSTOP code
O	bserve first. Always check by looking through a window or door viewer
O	nly open you door partly with the security chain connected
R	efuse entry if in any doubt and telephone the police or a neighbour
S	witch on outside lights when it's dark to see who is there
T	hink "suspicious". Strangers may be thieves trying to gain entry
O	nly open the door after examining identification and satistfying yourself it is genuine
P	rotect your family as well. Make sure children know the DOORSTOP code

Ways people may attempt to gain entry to your house:

-	Asking to use the telephone
-	Asking for a glass of water
-	Asking for donations
-	Conducting a survey
-	Impersonating sales representatives, officials, tradespeople and others

 

Ways to respond may include:

-	Saying "no"
-	Leaving the person outside and offering to make a telephone call for them
-	Denying entry until telephoning their office to verify that they are legitimate,

 

You should not compromise your safety by opening the door to strangers or allowing them inside, unless you have established that it is safe to do so.

If you have advertised an item for sale and have arranged for a stranger to view it, a good idea could be having a friend or relative present in your home to support you.

It's better to be safe than sorry!

DOORS

• Install reliable security screen doors on main external entrances
• Main door should a wide angle peep hole or interview grille and a 'securi-chain' safety chain
• Door hinges should be mounted so that pins cannot be removed
• Fit deadlocks on all external doors
• When moving into your home or apartment, install new locks (or have them rekeyed) on entrance doors
• Never open your door automatically to anyone who knocks or rings
• Never indicate you are alone. Shout out pretending someone else is at home
• Never leave notes to indicate your absence
• Always take your door key with you, do not hide it
• Never put your name and address on your key ring

WINDOWS/RANCHSLIDERS

• Fit window locks to all windows
• Fit security bolts on ranchsliders
• Locks should be of a type that cannot be opened if glass is broken
• Blinds and drapes should be closed at night. It should never be apparent to anyone on the street that you are alone
• Fit security stays on both sides of you window
• Close windows when out even if the windows have security stays

SERVICE CALLERS

• Don't let unknown people in
• Ask for identification from service callers such as tradesmen, delivery people, charities, etc
• Call the company they claim to represent and verify their identity if in doubt
• If they cannot provide identification, call the Police
• Beware of people knocking on the door asking for people who do not live in the street. If you see them knocking on other doors in your street, call the Police
• Beware of Con men offering to do work at special rates with up front Deposit. DON'T. Get written quotes and check they are qualified

ALARM SYSTEM

• These make burglars think twice
• Padlock on meter boxes
• Consider fitting modern alarm system. A survey from a reputable security company, a member of NZSIA, is obligation free and costs nothing
• If you install an alarm system, use transfers or stocks to show that it exists
• Test your alarm regularly
• Provide your neighbour, street coordinator or alarm company with keys to your home and alarm to enable investigation by Police if your home is entered by thieves or vandals

EXTERNAL

• Cut back shrubs and bushes near windows and doors. They are perfect hiding places for intending house breakers
• Lock all garage doors and windows at night
• Don't leave keys in hiding places
• Ladders and tools, useful for gaining entry, should be locked inside your garage
• Padlock outdoor sheds · Be observant of people or vehicles lingering near your residence as suggested in most Neighbourhood Support Programmes
• If your residence appears to have been burglarised or you disturb intruders, summon Police assistance. Never enter the premises alone
• Consider growing a thorny hedge/roses on boundary fences
• A gate at the entrance to your driveway will stop unwelcome vehicles entering
• Advertise with signs/stickers Neighbourhood Support/alarms/dogs
• Padlock your letterbox

HOLIDAYS/GENERAL

There are measures that can take for peace of mind that will reduce the risk of a home being burgled while you're on holiday.

These include:

• If you are going away complete this form and give to your neighbours/coordinator.
• Letters, newspapers or junk mail cluttering the letterbox. Have a friend or neighbour clear your letterbox
• Long grass - if you are away for a long time, organise for someone to mow the lawns
• An unanswered phone can tell someone within hearing distance that no one is home. Turn down the ring volume of your phone so it cannot be heard from outside
• If you have an answerphone, don't leave a message on it advising you are going to be away
• Ask a neighbour to park a car in your driveway from time to time - this creates the impression someone is at home
• Setting a timer switch for a radio or lights to come on indicates someone is present
• Leaving curtains closed can indicate no one is home

Whether you are going away on holiday or just for an hour, the following security measures are recommended:

• Always close all windows and lock doors
• Don't hide a spare key outside your home - burglars know where to look
• Keep shubbery trimmed - if your house cannot be seen from the road or by neighbours, suspicious people on your property cannot be seen
• Ladders or tools left in the garage could be used by someone to gain entry
• Deadlocks should be fitted to external doors and bolts to ranchsliders and french doors
• External doors should be solid core. The best lock in the world will be ineffective if a door and frame will give way to a couple of kicks
• It is a good idea to have security locks fitted to windows
• A burglar alarm is a good deterrent and external security lights can increase security

Another good practice is joining Neighbourhood Support

FAMILY/GENERAL

• Leave an inside light and the radio on if you are returning home after dark
• Never have your first name on the letterbox or doorbell. Use your initials
• Do not list your name as "Miss" or "Mrs" etc in the phone book or on the letterbox
• If a husband travels extensively, consider installing an intercom systems at the front and rear doors to monitor callers. Consider carrying a personal "panic button" alarm
• Persons alone should never open the door unless they know who is on the other side
• Children should be taught not to open the door to strangers and if by themselves they should not indicate they are alone. Same applies with telephone calls

VALUABLES

• Valuable jewellery should be photographed, preferably in colour
• Mark your valuables for easy identification by the Police
• List all valuables by make, model and serial number
• Do not leave your jewellery in a jewellery box on your dressing table
• Do not leave money or valuables in drawers. If you must keep these in the home, consider installing a reliable safe
• Never publicly discuss the contents of your home or your family plans

TELEPHONE CALLS

• Keep a list of general and emergency numbers by the telephone. If dialling "111" state the emergency service you require and give your name and location clearly
• Do not identify yourself when answering the telephone unless you are positive of the identity of the caller. Don't give out unnecessary information over the telephone
• When using the telephone, never let the caller know you are home alone
• Nuisance / obscene calls phone 123. All phone calls are traceable. If so refer to Telecom web site or look here for some advice for assistance in handling of these calls and what you should do.

OTHER

• If advertising in a newspaper to sell, have someone with you when buyer calls. Don't let on when you won't be home
• If working/relaxing in the back garden don't leave front of house unlocked
• If you surprise a burglar - get out of the doorway or exit. You and your family's safety is worth more than your possessions

CELLPHONES

Handsets – Vodafone, Telecom, Telstra, 2 Degrees, Black & White etc

Sim Card Phones

When you buy the phone the Serial Number is on your box. Cut off the number off the box and keep it in a safe place. Check your mobile phone’s serial number by pressing: Star Hash Zero Six Hash (*#06#). A 15 digit code will appear on the screen.This number is unique to your handset. Or remove your battery and the serial number is recorded on the phone. Write it down and keep it in a safe place. Should your phone get stolen you can phone your service provider and give them this code. They will then be able to block your handset so even if the thief changes the sim card your phone will be totally useless.

Contact your mobile network operator.

Telecom Number to report theft is 0800 800163 Note: Old Telecom CDMA network = No sim cards in CDMA handsets

Found a phone and want to know whose phone number is on it. Go to Settings and scroll thru Network settings and it should be located there. To find the ESN number remove your battery and it is recorded there. Telecom usually keep a record of the ESN number against the phone number so by ringing them they can supply those details to you.

Telecom Number to report theft is 0800 800163

MANUKAU CITY COUNCIL BYLAWS
There are two links below for handy reference. There are other bylaws published on the Council website. To view others.

You'll need the Acrobat Reader by Adobe to view or print these bylaws. If you dont have this application, you can download it for free at www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html

NOISE CONTROL - Council bylaw
DOG CONTROL - Council bylaw

None of the material contained in this website may be used without the express permission of the Pakuranga Bucklands Beach Neighbourhood Support Committee or the New Zealand Police, through the Howick Police Station .